So, I took my "new" car into Town North Mazda to get it looked over, and in for its 60,000 mile maintenance.

I asked them to take a look at a faint grinding noise I've been getting when turning the wheel at low speeds (ie; manuvering in and out of a parking space)

Turns out the car's power steering rack is the culprit and Town North wants around $2100 to fix it. Personally, this seems a little high to me. I know dealership costs are usually a bit high. I've told them to go ahead and hold off on the repair and I want to shop that price around a bit.

Does this estimate seem to be in the right neighborhood? Should I just go ahead and have the dealership do the work, or should I try and shop the estimate around a bit to some local garages?

 

http://www.finishlineperformance.com...2-04-1301b.pdf
http://www.finishlineperformance.com...5-08-1948a.pdf

Those could be making the noise maybe?

 

I suppose it's possible, it's not really the first (bulletin 02-002/04). I can duplicate the issue by just turning the wheel in a stationary position (ie, the wheels aren't rolling at all). I suppose it could be the second TSB. I asked them about any outstanding recalls at the dealership, and they said that there weren't any on my particular car except for a PCM reflash.

The dealership's diagnosis makes sense, the car behaves similarly to other cars when I've had problems with power steering. I know the comparison of the RX8's electric power steering to traditional power steering is a bit of apples-to-oranges, but the symptom seems similar.

A second opinion on the diagnosis is probably a good idea. I'm also concerned about the prices on the parts and the work. I've been hunting around eBay Motors and other parts sites trying to get a ballpark on the prices on the parts. I found a site with some cheaper remanufactured parts that are intriguing.

Basically, assuming that the tech's diagnosis is right, I'm trying to find a more cost effective price on the actual repair itself.

 

Eh I figured it was worth a try. That sucks if you do have a $2k+ bill coming up.

 

I feel your pain! I also took my in for the 60,000 service and I was charged $550.00 love the car but DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAM THAT BITCH IS EXPENSIVE TO MAINTAIN!

 

It's not too terrible, my budget was around 12,500 for the car. Knowing that i'd probably spend another 1000-1500 getting it checked out and up-to-date on maintenance.

I found two cars at dealerships that I liked, and one car from a private seller that I also liked. The private seller was the best deal, coming in at $9500.

Even with the repairs at full cost from the dealership, I'm going to wind up coming in under the prices to buy the car from a dealership.

But you're right, when I took the car to the dealership I figured I'd be spending around $2k (the 60k maintenance, a front brake job, new key & alarm fob, a problem with the airbag light, a clunking at low speed braking and my grinding steering noise), I got a bit of shock when the service writer was telling me that all of my repairs/maintenance were going to wind up costing me in the $4 grand neighborhood.

There's always a reason someone's selling their used car, sometimes those reasons are expensive!

 

Wow, they charge $800 at our dealership, they had a 10% off coupon. But still, that's pretty rough! I'll trade you dealerships.

 

You all could have saved your money and just bought all parts needed for the 60k and done it yourself for under $200. Why am I gonna give the dealer all that money for 2 hrs worth of work I can do myself?

But to the OP, it does suck if it is the steering rack. You should try and give Paul a call at Mazmart, he could probably give you a good deal on a used rack.

 

I'm in central jersey, I went to Crystal's Mazda on route 22 west Greenbrook I believe. I get freaked out if I do it myself & something goes wrong, I'm sh*t out of luck!

 

Ive notice a bunk noise too when i reverse into or out of spot and turn the wheel left. I also feel it in when my foot is on the brake pedal. My problem may be different though. i dunno.